The Royal Wedding is finished. It is time now to slice it up, decide what it meant, mock some hats and move along. So here, for those who did not rise before the sun to watch, are the best bits from the union of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Bishop who stole the show

The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, leader of the Episcopal Church, delivers the sermon during the royal wedding on Saturday.Owen Humphreys /
AP

Rev. Michael Curry – chosen specifically by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – instantly became one of the most talked about attendees after he delivered a stirring and dramatic sermon to St. George’s Chapel. Curry, a civil rights advocate from the United States and the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, injected a level of emotion unexpected at a staid royal function. Curry quoted Martin Luther King Jr., and extolled the healing and unifying powers of love. “Two young people fell in love and we all showed up,” he said in one of his most memorable lines.

The music, ranging from a gospel choir to ridiculously talented teenage, was easily one of the highlights of the ceremony. Both performances, along with the bishop’s sermon, lent elements of black culture to the normal pomp and circumstance of Britain’s most sacred institution. “This was black history,” Joy Widgeon, who attended a house party in Burlington, New Jersey, told the Associated Press. “African-Americans were front and centre at the royal wedding. This was the first time, and hopefully it won’t be the last.”

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, winner of the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year, performed works that included “Ave Maria.” And the Kingdom Choir, gave an awe-inspiring rendition of “Stand By Me.”

The dress

Meghan Markle walks up the stairs to the entrance of the chapel, helped along by her royal nephews-to-be. The moment is reminiscent of Prince William’s wedding in which Kate Middleton walked up to the chapel, with her train held and supported by her sister, Pippa.Ben Stansall /
AFP

As soon as Meghan Markle was spotted in a backseat on her way to the church, the broadcast chatter started in on the dress. It was white! Pure white, in fact, defying some expectations that she would wear a blush or cream colour on account of being married once before. And oh my, such a long train! Sixteen metres, actually, kept clean and free of rips by the seven-year-old Mulroney twins – one of whom could not contain his wonderment upon entering the chapel:

Claire Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of Givenchy, designed the dress. Kensington Palace described it as “timeless and elegant.” Whether you agree, or think it a touch bland, the dress, like all Royal wedding gowns, is bound to impact the bridal industry in a drastic way.

The kiss

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss on the steps of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018.Ben Birchhall /
AP

Naturally, it was a remarkable kiss. The pair managed to find that often elusive middle ground, between hot-blooded and cold-blooded. It was as if they were at once aware and unaware that millions were watching them press their (closed) lips together.

Her Majesty looked simply marvellous in lime and lemon. The Kensington Palace press office, experts in meticulous description, said the silk gown was “delicately flared.” Her hat was by Angela Kelly. Her brooch was the Richmond Diamond Brooch with pearl drop. Her husband, Prince Philip, followed behind the Queen in a morning suit, was walking sprightly despite his recent hip surgery.